Operations & Development Manager

Clubland Playscheme Ltd.; Hersham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% childcare discount for dependants

Up to 30 days paid annual leave

Pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Free DBS, uniform and training

Leadership training and professional发展

Job summary

Clubland Playscheme Ltd. is seeking an Operations & Development Manager to lead a portfolio of breakfast, afterschool and holiday clubs across Surrey. You will coach managers, drive recruitment and succession planning, and ensure safeguarding and Ofsted compliance while expanding services.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operation, requiring travel across Surrey and a strong track record in childcare leadership. A permanent, full-time position with Salary £38,000–£45,000.

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing childcare settings.
• Experience leading and developing managers or senior staff.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience managing multiple priorities across different locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio of settings, ensuring safe, high-quality childcare and growth.
• Coach, support and develop Playscheme Managers to become confident leaders.
• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development across your region.
• Drive quality assurance through regular setting visits and audits and ensure Ofsted outcomes.
• Grow the business by building relationships with schools and partners and mobilising new settings.

Skills

Leadership

People development

Childcare expertise

Strategic thinking

Communication

Project management

Education

Level 3 Childcare or Playwork

Paediatric First Aid

Safeguarding qualifications

Job description

Operations & Development Manager

Lead people. Grow the business. Shape the future of childcare.

Do you thrive on leading people, developing teams, and making things happen?

We're looking for experienced Operations & Development Manager’s to oversee a portfolio of Clubland's breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs across Surrey. This is a varied leadership role where no two days are the same. One day you could be coaching a new Playscheme Manager, the next supporting an Ofsted audit, meeting with a school about a new partnership, or launching an exciting new setting.

At Clubland, we're a small, family-run childcare provider with ambitious plans for growth. Our Operations & Development Manager’s play a vital role in delivering exceptional childcare today whilst helping shape where we go tomorrow.

The Role

As Operations & Development Manager, you'll lead a portfolio of settings, ensuring they deliver exceptional childcare, operate efficiently and continue to grow.

Lead exceptional teams

• Coach, support and develop Playscheme Managers to become confident leaders.
• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development across your region.
• Build positive, high-performing teams with excellent staff retention.
• Support succession planning and identify future leaders.

Deliver outstanding childcare

• Ensure every setting provides safe, engaging and high-quality childcare.
• Support managers to deliver inspiring play opportunities, outstanding customer service and excellent experiences for children.
• Maintain consistently high safeguarding, welfare and operational standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across all settings.

Ensure compliance

• Lead quality assurance through regular setting visits and audits.
• Support managers to achieve and maintain strong Ofsted outcomes.
• Monitor safeguarding, health & safety, risk assessments and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure policies and procedures are consistently implemented.

Grow the business

You’ll play a key role in Clubland's continued expansion by:

• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities and community partners.
• Identifying opportunities to grow existing services.
• Supporting the preparation of tenders and proposals for new contracts.
• Leading the mobilisation and successful opening of new breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs.
• Supporting new managers through the launch of new settings to ensure they become successful, sustainable provisions.

Drive operational excellence

• Support managers with staffing, rotas, budgets and day-to-day operations.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure resources are used effectively.
• Oversee stock management and facilities across your region.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Senior Management Team to continually improve systems and processes.

Build lasting relationships

• Develop excellent relationships with schools, parents and external partners.
• Represent Clubland at networking events and partnership meetings.
• Support marketing initiatives and community engagement activities.
• Be an ambassador for Clubland's values and reputation.

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• A confident, approachable leader who enjoys developing people.
• Passionate about delivering outstanding childcare.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware and excited by helping a growing business expand.
• Comfortable balancing operational management with strategic thinking.
• Calm under pressure and able to make sound decisions.
• An excellent communicator who builds trust quickly.

Essential Experience:

• Significant experience managing childcare settings.
• Experience leading and developing managers or senior staff.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience managing multiple priorities across different locations.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Surrey.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Level 3 Childcare or Playwork qualification (or above).
• Paediatric First Aid.
• Safeguarding qualifications.
• Experience opening new childcare settings.
• Experience writing or contributing to tenders.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Project management experience.

The Practical Bits

• Location: Hersham Head Office with regular travel across Surrey
• Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £38,000-£45,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Perks & Benefits

At Clubland, we know great leaders deserve great support.

You’ll receive:

• 75% childcare discount for your dependants (10% for wider family)
• Up to 30 days paid annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free DBS, uniform and training
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training
• Employee Assistance Programme via Health Assured
• Discounted gym membership
• Refer-a-Friend bonus
• A supportive, family-run environment where your ideas are valued and your contribution genuinely shapes the future of the business.

We are committed to safeguarding children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check.

Ready to help shape the future of Clubland?

Join a growing, ambitious childcare provider where you'll have the opportunity to lead exceptional people, open exciting new settings, develop lasting partnerships and make a real difference to children and families across Surrey.